The photographs above are provided by former CAT employees, their families, and the collections at the University of Texas at Dallas. These photos and more can be found with descriptions in the HISTORY sections of this website. Please note that all copyrighted photographs on this website can not be used without permission from the owner, so please CONTACT US to submit a request. Thank you!

Introduction

The CAT Association is a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Association registered in the state of California. Our members are veterans of Civil Air Transport and their families and friends. Formed in 1975 and served by volunteer officers, the Association has been operating continuously for almost four decades. We remain dedicated to the preservation of our history while fostering the camaraderie and friendship that reflects the spirit of CAT. Three generations of “CATers” are drawn to our annual reunions. We begin the celebrations with moments of silence to recall the price of glory. More than 200 fellow employees died in action. The bones of our Missing In Action lie in unknown mountains and jungles.

John Hill, Curator of the San Francisco Airport Museum, wrote, “Unique among the airlines of the world, Civil Air Transport (CAT) operated against a backdrop of great political transition in China and throughout Asia from its formation in 1946 to its demise in 1968. The company and its remarkable personnel were at the center of much of the region’s major historical events as they boldly defined the power and influence of air transport in the post-WWII era.”

We were a cohesive Sino American operation. Dr. Wang Wen-san (Ph.D., Columbia) was Chairman of the Board. Y.L. Wang (B.A. Economics, University of Wisconsin and Ph.D., Columbia) was our first comptroller. Some of our pilots and mechanics came from the Chinese Air Force and China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC). All of us were inspired by the leadership of General Claire Lee Chennault, Whiting Willauer, and Chennault’s Flying Tigers who were the first American aces of WWII. CAT’s footprints are widespread. The manufacturing might of Taiyuan, capital of Shensi Province, with the heroism of its defenders, enabled an orderly withdrawal to the seat of the anti-Communist Chinese Government on Taiwan. Marshall Yen Hsi-shan, governor of the province became the Premier of Free China during the transition. Yen Hsi-shan said, “Without CAT we would be unable to continue our defense of Taiyuan.”

General Barr, U.S. Military observer and Chief of The American Military Group (AMG) said, “The morale and efficiency of CAT are so good, I don’t see how it is possible in view of the style of emergency existing over the past two years.”

William Casey, Director, Central Intelligence Agency, called us “Secret soldiers of the Cold War.” James Glerum, CIA Paramilitary Case Officer — Special Activities Division — wrote, “…we routinely asked them to undertake missions that we could not conduct ourselves, and to hardship and hazards we have only rarely asked our own people to face.”

The CAT – Air America – Air Asia complex closed down in 1975, the longest-lasting and most successful CIA proprietary in American history, yet the only one which had cost the U.S. Government nothing. As a matter of fact, it provided more than $23 million, which had been earned in sunlight.

Dave Paulding

We lived in Tainan 62-63 My husband was an engineer and took the job when they delivered the 880 jet. he worked in the overhaul and repair shop near the air bas . unfortunately ,he passed away almost 11 years ago. great memories of Taiwan

Jason

Mike Vickers

May 18, 2016

Good Afternoon,
I’d like to become a member. My dad worked for Air Asia in Tainan, Taiwan for 4 1/2 years. When we moved to Taiwan in ’68 we flew into Taipei in the Convair 880. Dad got me up into the cockpit. I’ve still got my Dragon pin. I frequented the CAT pool in Tainan – anyone else from those days?

Richard Booth

May 25, 2016

Mike, your name sounds vaguely familiar. My family was in Tainan from 1964 through mid 1967. I graduated from Wainwright (1967). Did you ever attend any of the JMW Reunions? I went back to Tainan in 2010 and again in 2014 and 2015 for vacations. The island is beautiful, the people are fantastic, and the food is beyond good! I am going back in October of this year for about 10 days to attend the 50th anniversary of the church my parents help to build and start. The church was located on the base road about 1 mile south of the base main gate.

Jason

Jamaes A. Newmes

February 24, 2015

I have been a long time admirer of Cat Airways, the Flying Tigers, & Air America. I spent 5 1/2 years in Thailand and really enjoyed talking with the Air America folks at Udorn RTAFB while I was there. Please let me know if it is possible to become a member of your fine organization as a friend. Thank You.

Valerie R Heflin

June 7, 2015

My dad was a pilot for CAT in the 60’s! “Tommy” Bernard Ferris Thompson. I was just at the Air America Reunion in Scottsdale, AZ ! I heard the Organization is having a reunion in Vegas in October. I live in Bullhead City, AZ, only 90 miles south of Las Vegas! Wondering if I could register for the Reunion!? It would mean so much to come. Also, my sister is thinking about coming. We’re second generation and looking for some information about our dad. Thank you so much !!!!!

Mary

Cabaniss, Jo (Bradburn)

June 30, 2015

Hi Valerie,
I received your sister’s membership application in the mail yesterday. I hope to have yours soon as well. Will be sending Cynthia our latest CAT bulletin with details about the reunion. Looking forward to meeting both of you at our CAT reunion in Las Vegas!!

Jamaes A. Newmes

February 24, 2015

I am interested in becoming a member of the Association. I am a long time admirer of the Flying Tigers, Cat Airways, & Air America. I served 5 1/2 years in Thailand and admired the personell of Air America when I came in contact with them. Please let me know if it is possible to become a member of your organization as a long time friend.

Bob Gorman

Jo Cabaniss

Lannom.John

January 25, 2015

Ann and Bob Rousselot were great friends. When I was with NACC 1976-1978 I often rode with Bill Welk and Doc Johhnson in the C-460 to our small base on Chinmen. And with Don Teeters and Connie Seachrist to Matsu in the PBY. Bob was very helpful to me when I moved onto other “company” things in the Far East. After retiring I visited the ranch several times and Bob managed to find things for me to do in the manual area. Like build a barn door. When escorting a Dutch official from Taipei to Tokyo Bob was flying check pilot on the 880. He invited my official to the cockpit. What a wonderful night time view my guest had flying over Osaka before returning to his seat. Many fond memories of Ann and Bob and with a great Thanksdiving dinner one time.

Cabaniss, Jo (Bradburn)

Jay D Levine

November 20, 2014

I am looking for my fathers background he was a C46 Pilot with CAT His name is Joseph D Levine ,He flew in the early 50,s as far as I know Can you help me find him he is deceased and is buried in Phoenix Arizona in 2004. any help would be appreciated

Webmaster - Carol Burridge

Tommy A. Odiorne

February 1, 2013

All as the Buddha said, all things are impermanent. CAS, AAM personnel along with other support companies like CASI and Bird were outstanding. I had the privilege of seeing their work first hand when I was stationed in Laos 69/70 with ARMA. The pleasure was all mine in being able to know a few of you guys. Great job through the decades.

Griffith, Charles M.

January 23, 2013

Glad to see the open publicity at long last.

This history of O U R S [I’m proud to say] should be broadcast from the rooftops, especially in light of this Mali situation developing with the French in their former colonial possession……review our earlier involvement at Dien Bien Phu.

Round and round we go……..

Add a comment

Login

NOTICES

Next Reunion:May 29 ~ June 2, 2019

The 2019 CAT Reunion will be in Washington DC, joining the Air America Reunion! Registration information and full agenda will be available on the AAM Website, in an upcoming CAT eNewsletter and our next Bulletin. Make your hotel and travel reservations and come an join the fun!

Due to the high costs of printing and postage, the Bulletin has been delivered electronically via an eNewsletter to as many members as possible. Members without e-mail addresses on file and members who have requested printed copies will continue to receive Bulletins by mail. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

CAT BULLETINS

CAT Members: The Current Bulletin and many other issues can be found in the CAT BULLETINS section of this website. Please Login to view them. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Carol at [email protected].